Controlling service stream

• US 20040028062A1
• Filed: 05/07/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Lindroos, Mika, Taivalantti, Vesa, Kovacs, Janos, Sarkama, Esa, Litkey, Krisztian, Pirhonen, Jouni
• Granted Patent: US 7,881,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/20 Negotiating bandwidth
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

When a service is provided in a service stream between end devices controlling the service stream by using first protocol, there is also a need to control the service stream in the network via which the service stream is or is to be transmitted. The service stream is controlled in the network by utilizing first protocol messages which are separated (204) from other traffic transmitted in the network.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a service stream, the method comprising the steps of:

using a first protocol for controlling a service between a first and a second end device;

delivering the service to the first end device in a service stream via a network;

characterized by the steps of

separating first protocol messages from other traffic transmitted in the network; and

controlling the service stream in the transmitting network by utilizing the first protocol messages.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized by the method further comprising the steps of:

maintaining at least one service gateway for controlling service streams in the network; and

circulating first protocol messages via the service gateway.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the method further comprising the steps of:

recognizing a first protocol message relating to service stream setup;

determining requested resources indicated in the first protocol message;

determining resources available in the network; and

allocating network resources to the service stream on the basis of the requested and available resources.

4. A method according to claim 3, characterized by the method further comprising the step of modifying the requested network resources indicated in the first protocol message, before forwarding the message, if the allocated resources are not the same as the requested resources.

5. A system (1) comprising

at least one first end device (VS) for providing a service in a service stream;

at least one second end device (SE) for receiving the service;

at least one network (2) via which the service stream is transmitted; and

a first protocol used by the end devices to control the service stream;

characterized in that the network comprises

at least one service gateway (S-GW) for processing first protocol messages in order to control the service stream in the network; and

at least one router (aR) for separating the first protocol messages from the traffic of the network and for forwarding the first protocol messages to the service gateway.

6. A system according to claim 5, characterized in that

the service gateway (S-GW) is further arranged, after processing a first control message, to forward it.

7. A system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that

the service gateway (S-GW) is further arranged to collect information relating to the service stream during the processing of the first control message.

8. A system according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that

the service gateway (S-GW) is further arranged to allocate network resources to the service stream on the basis of requested resources indicated in the first control message and on the basis of the network load.

9. A system according to claim 8, characterized in that the service gateway (S-GW) is further arranged to consider a subscriber profile relating to the second end device when allocating network resources.

10. A system according to claim 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that

the service is a service-on-demand service;

and

the service gateway is further arranged to select the correct first end device among at least two first end devices during the service set-up.

11. A network (2) transmitting a service stream between a first end device and a second end device, the end devices using a first protocol to control the service stream,

characterized in that the network comprises

at least one service gateway (S-GW) for processing the first protocol messages for controlling the service stream in the network;

and

at least one router (aR) for separating first protocol messages from other traffic and for forwarding the first protocol messages to the service gateway.

12. A network (2) according to claim 11, characterized in that

after processing a first control message, the service gateway (S-GW) is further arranged to forward it.

13. A network (2) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the service gateway (S-GW) is arranged to process the first protocol messages according to the message type.

14. A network (2) according to claim 13, characterized in that

the service gateway (S-GW) is arranged to pass first protocol messages not relating to the actual service stream and to collect log information on messages relating to the actual service stream.

15. A network (2) according to claim 11, 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that the service gateway (S-GW) is further arranged to allocate network resources to the service stream on the basis of requested resources indicated in the first control message and on the basis of the network load.

16. A network (2) according to claim 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the network (2) comprises routers (aR) acting as edge elements of the network.

17. A network (2) according to claim 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the router (aR) and the service gateway (S-GW) are located in the same physical network node.

18. A network node,

characterized in that

the network node (S-GW) comprises a service gateway function for controlling a service provided in a service stream via the network by utilizing first protocol messages used for controling the service between end devices.

19. A network node according to claim 18, characterized in that the network node (S-GW) is arranged to authenticate at least one end device during service stream set-up.

20. A network node according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the network node (S-GW) is further arranged to allocate network resources for the service stream on the basis of requested resources indicated in the first protocol message and on the basis of the network load.

21. A network node according to claim 18, 19 or 20, characterized in that the network node (S-GW) is further arranged to allocate network resources for the service stream on the basis of the subscriber profile of a subscriber requesting the service.

22. A network node according to claim 18, 19, 20 or 21, characterized in that the network node (S-GW) is further arranged to collect charging information on the basis of first protocol messages.

23. A network node for transmitting traffic in a network,

characterized in that

the network node (aR) comprises a router function for separating from the traffic first control packets used for controling a service between a first and a second end device and for forwarding the first control packets according to routing instructions defined for the first control packets in the network node.